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carb or injection?


mytwopointeight
10-09-2003, 08:11 AM
awile back i posted saying i hada 305 for my s-10, now i have to decide to get it carbed or injection. i hate the computer on my 2.8 now, so i am thinking carb, but does anyone have any preferences they wanna share? or like some pros/cons for each?

superlude
10-12-2003, 02:10 PM
im not sure but i think a carb may provide a slight bit more power depending on what u get where a injector will probably run smoother and be more dependable.
But dont take my word for it.
I own a honda.

85S10358
10-12-2003, 09:43 PM
i Have a 355 in my s10 and it carbed.. ik i love it.. ive got a carter AFB Comp Series 750 carb on and i wouldn't change for the world.. You get a beefier sound out of a carb too

superlude
10-12-2003, 09:47 PM
I would have to agree. A carb would probably be a better choice. Theyre probably a lil cheaper too and easier to work with as far as upgrading goes according to a couple of friends of mine. So i suggest you carb it. A nice beefy 4 barrel carb should do u good

chevyfan305
10-14-2003, 02:51 PM
i have a carb on my 305, and i like it alot. sometimes the choke gives me some porblems when th eengine is cold, but other than that i prefer them over injection.

TopDogg
11-02-2003, 08:38 PM
This would cause a lot of disagreements at many garages. I would suggest go with what you know. I dont think the theory of a carb giving more power is accurate. TPI (tuned port injection) for example would change your mind real quick if you were in the right car. I have had great TBI engines. My S10 is TBI now and very dependable. Edelbrock and Holley sell great TBI set ups (includes injectors, manifold, sensors, computer, etc..) THey include simple to follow instructions. They are kinda costly but I am sure they are worth it. But on the other hand I have had a few carbed motors (all 350 V8s) and I rarely had a problem. I would suggest avoiding electronic carbs.

quiktsi
11-07-2003, 11:49 AM
on a 305ci I would go with a holley 670 street avenger carb I am now running a 870 avenger on my 406ci. Produce mure torque with a carb less prob and no complexity.

TopDogg
11-07-2003, 04:30 PM
a stock 350ci dont need a carb any bigger that a 600. GM has a crate motor they sell. Its a 260hp 350ci. The people who designed the motor suggest a 525cfm carb. Hmmmmmmmmm :uhoh: I would still go with a 600 though. My neighbor has a 350 producing about 330hp at 5000rpm 380ft-lbs torque at 3800rpm and is running a 625cfm road demon jr. This is after trying to bigger sizes. I feel 305s arent the best for all out performance anyway so why not go with TBI? Very dependable. I am not dogging 305s in any way. I had a 305 TPI in my Firebird and until I pulled the motor I swore it was a 350 by the way it ran. Beat many Moostangs. And as far as carbs being less trouble I would have to disagree. This is why I say go with what you know.

curtis73
11-07-2003, 08:25 PM
I vote for TPI or TBI. They can both be had cheaply and easily from any junkyard. Buy a TPI/TBI swap guide (there are several) and see what's involved. While I much prefer a carb for simplicity and its lack of roadside failures, I can't stand the cold running characteristics and the potential for stalling/stranding. A carb is designed to run under a finite set of atmospheric conditions and anything else its just guessing and robbing you of power.

Also, the carb vs. efi power debate is an old one, but unless you are an expert tuner at both, its pointless. Are you going to tune for power, fuel economy, detonation tolerance, elevation range...? The list goes on. If you have unlimited access to a dyno and an intimate knowledge of tuning, it will help, but why get a carb that you can get close with, when you can install a factory TBI or TPI and let GM do all the tuning for you. The chip in that computer has all of the drivability you could ever want, and there's a huge backing of aftermarket tuners ready with stockpiles of chips if you change cams, heads, or anything else. They've done the expensive difficult tuning part for you already.

I have a carb on a 66 Bonneville with a Caddy 500. I chose it there because of several reasons. Foremost, it would have been a complete custom (read: expensive) job since there are no acceptable factory setups. There was one, but it was pathetic. I also use this car alot for towing and the ultimate goal was reliability. If it dies on the side of the road, I know its not because there is a failing MAP sensor or a fried computer.

My two cents is to go with TBI or TPI, but if you go with a carb, I can't stress enough how easy your life will be if you do the following: Get a Q-jet carb from a pre-computer 305 or 350. Send it to Jet Performance with all of your specs and you will get flawless performance out of the box. I did this with a larger Q-jet for my Caddy 500 and I am so happy. No bog, excellent fuel economy (how about 18 mpgs with nearly 600 lb-ft of torque in a 5000-lb car with 3.73s and no OD). Their secret is the tiny primaries and large secondaries. It keeps part throttle velocity up and lets the air fly at WOT. The best street carb ever created in my opinion and Jet does them well. I would rather have a 1975 Q-jet than a brand new Street Demon.

quiktsi
11-10-2003, 07:33 AM
As stated before a street avenger or truck avenger HOLLey would be a good choice. If you decide to go with injection you are going to spend some bucks if so go with the holley tpi. Why are you going with a 305ci if you do swap the heads so you can make atleast 240hp. But cards is the way to go. I have 2 S-10's one has a 350 and the other 406ci. Both are runnin carbs and have no probs, also when you do the swap hope you are going to run corvette mainfold the hold up and install a breeze. 670cfm street advenger. Is the way to go

TopDogg
11-10-2003, 10:38 AM
Hey "mytwopointeight" I would listen to Curtis below if anything. But you didnt tell us what your shootng for or what you know about each. You seem to hate computers (like i do on many cars) so save yourself the worries and get a carb. Even though I love the TPI in my Camaro I think I am going with a road demon Jr carb in my S10 only because the crate motor I am getting this carb was recommended by 8 out of ten people I spoke with at Summitracing.com (these guys can answer anything just dont tell them you removed your CAT) and them guys at Jegs. Its a pre 86 motor so I am sure this is why I was advised a carb. If your going to do the work yourself put a carb on it. If you havent already of bought your 305 I would of suggested you search for someone parting out a car with a TPI 305 or 350 and take the motor, wiring harness and all. But I am sure someone would have beat you to it. Them TPI guys are like redneck women at a Walmart sale. I would suggest you reply with your main concerns or what your looking for in your S10 before you ask for any more OPINIONS. Q-jets are the chit for off roading. I do know that much. :naughty:

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